Covington, TN Exhibit

Covington Exhibit

The enormous talent of our local Memphis Calligraphy Guild is currently on display in Covington, TN. Lois Benson & friends went last week to have a look, and the first word that came to mind was: Impressive! The calligraphy is absolute perfection, amazingly well thought out and the combination of artwork & calligraphy is simply beautiful. 

Even if calligraphy is not something usually on your radar you will likely still appreciate the beauty of the display.

Guild Reception at Dyersburg State Community College's

Guild Reception

• Where: Dyersburg State Community College 
• (Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County Community College)
• 3149 Hwy. 51 S., Covington, TN 38019
• (901) 475-3102

• When: August 15, 2026

• Time: 12:30 to 2:00 p.m

For the Memphis Calligraphy Guild reception on August 15 from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m., the college will provide a cooler of ice and a table with a tablecloth. Barrie Foster will bring disposable cups, cutlery, plates, and napkins, and also a plastic pitcher to fill with water.

It is best if we bring non-messy finger foods. Items that work well are cookies, cupcakes, small sandwiches, charcuterie plates (the predone ones from the grocery store work well), fruit trays, raw vegetable trays with dip, etc. If someone wants to bring a big bottle or two of soda, that would be good, too. No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the campus.

We also will want to bring any pamphlets we have about the Guild and any business cards. We will have name tags available for Guild Members.

Dr. Cook or Dr. Hudnall will address the group first with an update on the college. Barrie will give an update as to what is going on with the Tipton Art League, and we will give an update from sponsor Liberty Vintage Marketplace. Then Peggy or one of the other calligraphers will speak about the exhibit.  It may not necessarily go in that order.

The exhibit is beautiful, and we are looking forward to the reception!

Introduction to Book Binding Workshop

Bookbinding Workshop

Presented by Peggy Kunkel

Saturday, October 24, 2026

Randolph Library

3752 Given Ave, Memphis, TN 38122

DATE: Saturday, October 24th

TIME: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

PLACE: Randolph Library, 3752 Given Avenue, Memphis 38122

COST: $20.00 members, $35.00 non-members

Introduction to Book Binding is a wonderful way to begin the craft of bookbinding or to renew your skills. Use your newfound skills to create a handmade book further enhanced with your unique calligraphy and artwork! Peggy is an excellent teacher with loads of individual creativity and great attention to detail.

We will create two books: First project: an accordion book. Some of you may have made these previously but for this version you will learn to join additional sheets to make a longer book and steps to add a very creative cover. Papers for this project will be provided by the instructor. Second project: a sewn signature book with a cover sewn into it. We will discuss papers that can be used and options for your own creativity. There will be samples of Peggy's books to help generate ideas.

SUPPLIES

• 3 - sheets of paper 22 x 30 or larger of text weight to medium weight.
• Suggestions:
• Arches Text Wove
• Zerkell Book White
• Bugral Arches W/C (90#)
• Fabriano W/C (90#)/ Stonehenge
• Nideggen
• Colored papers of a similar size
• 1 - sheet for the cover - W/C, Mi Tientes or something heavier than your text weight. It can be plain or something you painted.
• Bone Folder
• Awl
• Scissors and/or X-acto knife
• Cutting Mat
• Metal Ruler - minimum of 12"
• Needle - Book binding needle or Tapestry needle (they have larger eyes easier to thread)
• Thread - Linen or Pearl Cotton
• Glue stick or PVA
• Wax paper
• Scrap paper for gluing
• Pencil and notebook
• Bull dog clamps (opt.)

Fill out the form below by clicking on it to open it in a new window. If you need to, you can click on it again to enlarge it.

Blackletter and Variations with Reggie Ezell

 We will have our fall workshop Zooming with Reggie Ezell!

For now, send Judy and Maggie your information so they can start a roster. Checks can be sent directly to Judy Bilbrey, treasurer. You can also pay online on our website, or through our Facebook page.

So excited that we’re having some great inspiration and instruction coming our way.

If you have any questions, just give a shout out...

Blackletter and Variations

Instructor: Reggie Ezell

Hosted on Zoom by the Memphis Calligraphy Guild

October 17-18, 2020

Class Schedule for both days:

10 am - noon: Class

noon - 12:45: Lunch

12:45 - 2:15 pm: Class

2:15 - 2:30 pm: Break

2:30 - 4 pm: Class

About Zoom

After you register, the Guild will send you an email confirmation with detailed instructions on attending a Zoom class. The email will also contain a link from Reggie on “how to set up your workspace” for the Blackletter class.

Priority sign up will be given to members of the Memphis Calligraphy Guild. Open registration to the public will begin on September 1st.

Bookbinding Mini Workshop

Bookbinding for People Who Are Lazy and Cheap

Date: Saturday, May 30, 2020
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Instructor: Dawn Vinson
Place: Memphis Northeast Police Precinct, 6850 Appling Farms Pkwy, Whitten exit North off of I-40
Price: $15.00

In this workshop, participants will learn how to make a hardcover book, a softcover single-signature book, and other simple books using inexpensive and easy-to-find or salvaged materials. These books can be used as journals, gift books, special- or limited-edition manuscripts, zines, and much more.

SUPPLY LIST:

Participants should bring*:

For the hardcover book

• Cardboard or Chipboard, about 1/32" to 3/32" thick – two 4-1/4" x 5-3/4" pieces for the covers, and one 7/16" x 5-3/4" piece for the spine.

Look around your home for suitable material: the cardboard backs of store-bought notepads, sturdy packaging or shipping boxes – deconstructed and cut to size, etc.

• 18 sheets of 8 1⁄2 " x 11" or 36 sheets of 5-1/2” x 8-1/2” paper for the inside of your book

Choose any paper – white, colored, or a mix of colors and textures – that you like to write or draw on; however, I strongly advise against using thick paper like watercolor paper or some of the thicker specialty papers – unless you enjoy crying in public.

• One 7" x 10-1/2" piece of paper for the cover; choose anything you like as long as it will hold a crease
• One 5-3/4" x 9-1/2" piece of paper for the cover facing sheet; this will not be seen in the finished book, so don’t waste pretty paper for it
• Carpet, button, or upholstery thread
• A sewing needle
• A thimble (optional)
• A pushpin or thumbtack
• Glue, double-stick tape, or a glue stick
• A pencil
• A ruler
• An old paintbrush or foam brush (optional)
• Binder clips or wooden clothes pins
• A burnisher or bone folder if you have one (optional)

For the softcover book

• 6 sheets of 8 1⁄2 " x 11" paper for the inside of your book – again, choose whatever you like to write or draw on
• 1 sheet of 8-3/4 " x 11-1/4" cardstock or art paper for the cover; I’ve also used plastic covers salvaged from spiral-bound reports
• Embroidery floss – coordinate or contrast with your chosen paper and/or cover
• A sewing needle (upholstery or tapestry – something with a larger eye)
• A thimble (optional)
• A pushpin or thumbtack

Also bring

• A few extra sheets of 8 1⁄2 " x 11" paper for one-page books and any other simple books that we have time for Any decorative papers that you may want to use as end papers 
• Any decorative elements that you may want to use to embellish what you make in class

*Do not under any circumstances go out and purchase any of these supplies. Look around your home and see what you have that might be usable. Bring extras if you have them and are willing to share.

Watercolor and Calligraphy Workshop

A Unique Combination of Watercolor and Calligraphic forms…

  

2 day workshop April 4th and 5th, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Atelier, the studio of Fred Rawlinson. 

Atelier  
6645 Poplar Avenue / Suite 205  
Germantown, TN 38138  
901-624-6654

About Fred*…the first years of his career concentrated on medical illustration. The precise ad controlled nature of this scientific speciality stirred a longing for the freedom and creativity of more personal visual expressions.  By 1973, Rawlinson had committed full-time to fine arts concentrating primarily on the watercolor medium.

Fred served many years on the faculty at Memphis College of Art, and, in a return to medical illustration roots, assisted in designing a preprofessional degree program in Biomedical Communications at the University of Memphis.

Upon retirement, Fred and his wife, Jo, a fabric artist, moved to New Orleans and opened a gallery in the historic French Quarter.  The gallery studio was moved to Germantown Tennessee in 1999.

*from www.rawlinsongallery.com

Cost: $150.00 (for Guild Members).  

             $175.00 (for non-members). *

$50.00 deposit is required with registration to hold your place on the roster

Includes:

(2) 30” x 44” sheets of Kilimanjaro 140# watercolor paper 

(precut at Atelier)

(4) tubes (.5 ml)) of Windsor & Newton watercolor

(color preselected for class)

(2) Brushes- 8” round, 1” flat

(1) small bottle of Daler-Rowney FW White acrylic ink

Other Supplies To Bring:

• Large water container (i.e. Cool Whip size)
• Out of date Credit card (to be cut up in class)
• Single edge razor blade
• Paper Towels
• Masking Tape (approximately 1”)
• Non-absorbent Watercolor tray or white plastic plate with enough space for mixing color/pallette.
• Plexiglass or board (approximately 18” x 26”, at least 1/4” thick)
• Pocket Knife
• Small kitchen sponge

==========================================

Name_____________________________________________________________

Address__________________________________________________________

Phone____________________________________________________________

Email:_____________________________________________________________

We are working on an online payment…stay tuned

For now……Send a check to (Memphis Calligraphy Guild)

Judy Bilbrey, Treasurer

8462 Lansingwood Cove

Germantown, Tn 38139

*Guild members will be given priority until March 1st.  Then open to all.

Pointed Pen Uncials

Date: November 2, 2019
Time: 9:00 am till 1:00 pm
Instructor: Maggie Naylor
Place: Memphis Northeast Police Precinct, 6850 Appling Farms Pkwy, Whitten exit North off of I-40
Price: $10.00 member, $15.00 non-member

We will take a different look at the traditional Uncial lettering style. This wonderful style can be packed pretty tight on a page and makes very interesting, inner-woven textures. Along the way we’ll develop confidence with the pointed pen and discover the unique advantages of lettering with a flexible tool.

This script is based on Mike Kecseg’s work. Mike began doing calligraphy when he worked as an engrosser.  Since 1984 he has owned and operated PenGraphics Studio, Inc.  He has been on the faculty of the IAMPETH Conferences and the International Calligraphy Conferences.  His work has been exhibited widely and can be seen in Letter Arts Review, Lettering Arts, The Encyclopedia of Calligraphy Techniques, several Artful Letter calendars and the Speedball Textbook, including the cover of the 23rd edition.  He was inducted as an IAMPETH Master Penman in 2002.

SUPPLY LIST:

• Pointed, flexible nibs-your choice:  Examples: Pen N Nikko “G”, Hunt 22
• Pen Holder (either straight or oblique)
• Black Ink (Higgins eternal or McCaffrey’s)
• Dinky dink  (or small container to dip ink)
• Small water container (can use one of your dinky dip containers
• Graph paper with 1/8 squares size is unimportant, but at least 8 1/2 x 11”
• Marker paper
• Pencil, ruler, eraser
• Paper towels
• 1-2 sheets of quality art paper (Arches HP, Canson Mi Tientes or Diploma Parchment or your favorite art paper
• Gouache (one color…your choice and permanent white)
• Mixing tray
• Mixing brush 
• Water container